Abstract
Farmed insects can provide an alternative protein source for humans, livestock, and fish, while supporting adaptation to climate change, generating income for smallholder farmers, and reducing the negative impacts of conventional food production, especially in the tropics. However, the quantity, nutritional quality and safety of insects greatly relies on their feed intake. Tropical forages (grasses and legumes) can provide a valuable and yet untapped source of feed for several farmed insect species. In this perspective paper, we provide a viewpoint of how tropical forages can support edible insect production. We also highlight the potential of tropical forage-based diets over those using organic agricultural or urban by-product substrates, due to their versatility, low cost, and lower risk of microbial and chemical hazards. The main bottlenecks relate to dependence on the small number of farmed insect species, and in public policy and market frameworks regarding the use of edible insects as food, feed and in industrial processes. This perspective will serve interested stakeholders in identifying urgent issues at the research, ethical, marketing and policy levels that can prevent the emergence of new, insect-based value chains and business models, and the nutritional, economic and environmental benefits they promise.
Highlights
Rapid population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation have put food security and nutrition at risk, especially in the global tropics
The advantages of insect farming in the tropics include a greater biodiversity, production throughout the year under stable environmental conditions and the contribution to at least 8 Sustainable Development Goals
This has led to the development of an emerging industry through initiatives based on black soldier fly production for fisheries in Kenya and Colombia
Summary
Climate change, and environmental degradation have put food security and nutrition at risk, especially in the global tropics. There are research initiatives led by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), academic institutions (e.g., University of Copenhagen, Wageningen University) and governmental institutions (e.g., The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research), such as GREEiNSECT and ILIPA, which aim at producing scientific evidence for insect production in small-, medium- and large-scale industries and developing the commercial potential for food and feed, contributing enormously to the growth of this sector in the tropics Apart from their use as food and livestock feed, insects can be sold (alive or processed) on other niche markets with price premiums, such as to zoos or pet owners, generating additional income for producers. Such standards still need to fully facilitate the potential of edible insects as an industrial endeavor (Musundire et al, 2021)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
